Melee disrupts, briefly shuts down Hempstead court

September 20, 2013 2:50 PM

The arraignment of murder suspect Pedro Merchant, 20, was disrupted by a courtroom melee that included the brief shutdown of First District Court in Hempstead on Friday. Videojournalist: Jim Staubitser (Sept. 20, 2013)

The arraignment of murder suspect Pedro Merchant, 20, was disrupted by a courtroom melee that included the brief shutdown of First District Court in Hempstead on Friday. Videojournalist: Jim Staubitser (Sept. 20, 2013) (Credit: )

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The arraignment of murder suspect Pedro Merchant, 20, was disrupted by a courtroom melee that included the brief shutdown of First District Court in Hempstead on Friday. Videojournalist: Jim Staubitser (Sept. 20, 2013)